Authorities say it happened Sunday night in Hampstead northeast of Wilmington as officers responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a house and then driving to a home nearby.

Patrol First Sgt. Jeff Gordon says the trooper, a Pender County deputy and a Surf City police officer approached the house and saw three men inside. The officers announced their presence and told the men to comply with their orders.

Gordon said one of the men in the house pointed a gun at the trooper who then fired at the man, killing him.